Top Tips For Preventing Back Pain

LISTEN TO YOUR BACK
Pain is a warning sign. Your body is telling you that you have already
or are about to cause damage. If what you are doing hurts then STOP.
Do not try to push through the pain.

EXERCISE
Regular exercise is important to help maintain mobility and strength.
It should be done without pain and it should be done regularly.
Brisk walking, swimming and cycling are all excellent exercises,
but you should do what is suitable for you and what you enjoy.

WARM UP
You should warm up your body before any form of physical activity,
whether it is sports, gardening or DIY'ing. This prepares the body
for action and helps to prevent injuries.

COOL DOWN
Cooling down and stretching after exercise or physical activity
is just as important as a warm up. Never "bounce" your
stretches and do it gently without pain.

LIFT CORRECTLY
You don't have to lift something heavy in order to hurt your back.
Picking up something light incorrectly is far more likely to hurt
your back than picking up heavy objects correctly. Lifting things
away from your body is also likely to cause damage. When you pick
up anything, no matter how heavy, get it as close to your body as
you can and keep your back as straight as you can and don't twist
with it.

MOVE NOW AND THEN
Whether you are at home, at work or in the car, prolonged sitting
causes load on the discs and weakness of the muscles. Get up and
move every now and then, even if it is only for a minute. The body
is designed for movement not for slouching in front of the TV or
driving for hours on end.

GET THE RIGHT FURNITURE
So called "comfortable chairs" do not do your back any
good. They are usually too low, too soft and the seat is too long
with a rounded back. They force you to slouch and sit awkwardly
which puts stress on your back. Choose a chair that is supportive,
allows you to sit up correctly with your feet flat on the floor.
The right bed is also important. Beds can be too hard. The base
of the bed should be firm and the mattress should be soft enough
to mould to the contours of your body but be firm enough to give
you support in the right places. Futons are not good for most backs
and the word "Orthopaedic" when applied to beds means
absolutely nothing.

SLEEP PROPERLY
Sleep in a comfortable position. On your side in the "foetal"
position is usually the least stressful on your back. Sleeping on
your front puts most stress on your back and neck and can lead to
trouble. Using a pillow of the right height which supports the neck
is also important.

CONSULT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR
If you have a long term problem, whether it is just "niggly"
or disabling, or if you have a recurring problem, then chiropractic
treatment can probably help. Chiropractors can usually give you
marked relief from pain and discomfort and improved quality of life
as well as decreasing the likelihood of a recurrence.